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<DIV>One of the things I envied about Paul Sweezy was that he was able to quit
working at age 37. I will never have an inheritance, but I was lucky that
my pension fund grew by leaps and bounds during the stock market bubble. I
had hoped to quit working at age 55, since that is the minimum age tat
which I could withdraw pension money without tax penalty. The bubble made this
possible. Thankfully we had enough sense to get the money out of the stock
market before it tanked. Now we have enough money to live on (I still do
some teaching--labor education--and consulting). Nothing
extravagant. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Although I had to wait 'til 55, I feel pretty lucky. Work is a
real drag. At least when it is not self-directed. Now, however, I
can work when I want and do what I want. We love to move around. I really
only feel really good when we are on the road, seeing the sights, hiking,
talking to strangers, learning as much as we can about wherever we are. I
love motels and hotels. So far, since 2001, we have lived in Yellowstone
National Park, Manhattan, at my mom's house in Western Pennsylvania, in Miami
Beach, and in Portland, Oregon. We will leave Portland in May and head for
the southwest and then to Miami Beach again. I have some irons in the fire
for Honolulu and Grenoble (France).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>What is interesting is that even though we are always somewhat unsettled, I
have been able to write a lot--a book, articles, reviews, now some fiction
stories too. Plus I have been doing labor studies courses on the web for
several colleges. I love to do these while I am on the road.
Students in New York City, me in Kearney, Nebraska or Florence, Oregon. My
health has improved as well. Work is generally not conducive to sound body
and mind. Lots of fresh air and exercise are. What is great is
knowing that I never have to go "home" and get back to work.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Michael Yates</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>From:</B> <A
href="mailto:dhenwood@panix.com">Doug Henwood</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
href="mailto:lbo-talk@lbo-talk.org">lbo-talk@lbo-talk.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, March 08, 2004 5:48
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [lbo-talk] Does God Work at
the BLS?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Dick N. Viers wrote:<BR><BR>>At 08:21 PM 3/8/2004, MICHAEL
YATES wrote:<BR>>><?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace
prefix="o" /><BR>>>The BLS folks are friendly and competent. I
did some consulting <BR>>>for an attorney whose client was suing a
dentist. I needed a price <BR>>>index for dental services.
BLS sent it out right away. BLS <BR>>>staffer Dave Richardson who
used to post on these lists was always <BR>>>very cooperative and wrote
a good article at my request for the <BR>>>Rev. of Rad. Pol. Econ.
I am sure they operate under duress. Bush <BR>>>and co. are no
friends of good data.<BR>>><BR>>>Michael
Yates<BR>><BR>><BR>>Ditto. They're more than forthcoming and
helpful!<BR>><BR>>Nice to see you posting Michael!<BR><BR>Yes indeed.
How's retirement treating
you?<BR><BR>Doug<BR>___________________________________<BR><A
href="http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk">http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk</A><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BODY></HTML>